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The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) has asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay two executions scheduled just a week apart. Bryan Jennings is scheduled to be executed on November 13, 2025, for the 1979 murder of Rebecca Kunash. Richard Randolph is scheduled for execution on November 20, 2025, for the murder of Minnie Ruth McCollum in 1988.

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) has asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay the execution of Norman Grim scheduled for October 28, 2025, and commute his sentence to life without parole.

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) has asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay the execution of Samuel Smithers scheduled for October 14, 2025, and commute his sentences to life imprisonment without parole. Smithers was sentenced to death for the murders of Cristy Cowan and Denise Roach in 1996.

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) has appealed to Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay the Sept. 30 scheduled execution of Victor Jones and commute his sentences to life imprisonment without parole. A survivor of abuse at the Okeechobee School, Jones is among the former students whom the Florida Legislature formally recognized and compensated through the Dozier and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program.

On July 8, the bishops of Florida sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis requesting that he pause the signing of death warrants and meet with them to review the Church's teachings on the sanctity of human life. The letter is in response to a ninth death warrant signed by the governor this year. If the state executes Edward Zakrzewski on July 31, it would break Florida's record for the number of executions carried out in a single year. The state put Michael Bell to death by lethal injection on July 15, tying the previous record of eight executions set in 1984, and again in 2014.

Archbishop Wenski of Miami, president of the FCCB, and Bishop Dewane of Venice have issued statements on the new detention facility in the Everglades, known as "Alligator Alcatraz." The detention facility is located on the border of the Archdiocese of Miami and the Diocese of Venice.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed an eighth death warrant since the start of 2025. If the state puts Michael Bell to death by lethal injection on July 15 and carries out the scheduled June 24 execution of Thomas Gudinas, it would match the most executions in a year since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976 by a decision of the U.S. Supreme Court. Florida also executed eight inmates in 1984 and 2014.

The FCCB has requested Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay the execution of Thomas Gudinas and commute his sentence to life imprisonment without parole. Gudinas is scheduled to be executed on June 24 for the 1994 murder of Michelle McGrath in Orlando.

Florida’s Catholic Bishops have interceded to ask Governor Ron DeSantis to stay the execution of Anthony Wainwright and commute his sentence to life without parole. Wainwright is scheduled to be executed on June 10 for the 1994 murder of Carmen Gayheart in Hamilton County, FL.

The College of Cardinals has elected the 267th successor of St. Peter the Apostle. Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, who has taken the name Leo XIV, was elected May 8, 2025. The following is a statement from Michael Sheedy, executive director of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops:

Florida’s Catholic bishops have appealed to Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay the execution of Glen Rogers and commute his sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Rogers is scheduled to be executed on May 15 for the 1995 murder of Tina Marie Cribbs in Florida. He also received a sentence of death for the murder of Sandra Gallagher in California and is suspected of committing several other murders across the country.

HB 1255, sponsored by Representative Dana Trabulsy (R-Fort Pierce) was passed by the full House (86-27) on April 23 and has been sent to the Senate. A provision of the bill would require health education that addresses human embryologic development in grades 6-12 to include a high-definition, medically accurate ultrasound video showing the development of the heart and other organs and movement of the limbs and head.

The bill would address notary public fraud, particularly focusing on immigration matters and the misuse of professional titles by notaries. They would prohibit a notary public from using specified terms, such as “notario público,” or any designation or title, in any language, which conveys or implies that he or she possesses professional legal skills in immigration law.

The bill would create the Office of Faith and Community within the Executive Office of the Governor to connect government infrastructure and resources with faith-based and community-based organizations. The measure recognizes the significant role of faith and community networks in supporting vulnerable groups and promotes enhanced collaboration with governmental programs.

Florida’s Catholic bishops have asked Governor Ron DeSantis to stay the execution of Jeffrey Hutchinson and commute his sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Hutchinson is scheduled to be executed on May 1. He was convicted of the 1998 murders of Renee Flaherty and her three children, Geoffrey, Amanda, and Logan Flaherty. A sentence of death was imposed for the murder of each child. A life sentence was imposed for the murder of Ms. Flaherty.